Pastor Reginald Flynn of Foss Avenue Baptist Church teaches a message that challenges members to play a big role in the church and in the community “We are a voice of Christ in the community by putting into action a holistic approach to ministry that rebuilds, and transforms lives spiritually, economically, politically and physically,” says […]

Christmas is a tough time for kids who have a parent in jail. They often feel alone and are depressed. To help alleviate some of those feeling and show the children they are loved, the Stacy Swimp Evangelistic Association and Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle are partnering to reach out to children of the incarcerated and their families […]

One of Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II’s favorite scriptures is Psalms 46:10, “Be still and know that He is God.” So when, two years ago, he heard the Lord’s still, small voice call him from his ministry at the First Baptist Church in Lexington, NC, to the pastorship of the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle in Flint, […]

The link between eating right and growing a more vibrant community is palpable, says Rev. Dr. Tommy McDoniel. Surround your environment with a garden plentiful in nutritious greens and fruits and good things happen. Eating habits start to change, resulting in improved health. You’re also more likely to invest time outdoors tending to that garden, […]

Urundi Knox, Bishop of Ebenezer Ministries, believes his job is to break down the walls of denomination and tradition and empower the people of his church. He believes that will help open the doors for change in Flint. When people attend church they don’t need to sit in the seats being entertained, he says. Instead […]

Evelyn Thompson had a knack for making family gatherings memorable. It didn’t matter that her modest, two-bedroom house in the north end lacked a valet outside, or a reservation desk in front of the dining room. When her grandson Phillip went to her house for holiday dinners it was a formal affair. The small size […]

The hope of future generations rests on the expectations we place upon our youth today. That’s the word of Pastor Wayne Patrick Sanders of New Jerusalem Baptist Church. He believes the key to the future for the city of Flint, and particularly for the church, is to embrace, nurture, and empower the millennial generation. He […]

Pastor Jeff Hawkins, of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church never imagined he would one day grow up and become a pastor In fact, he says being a moral leader was the furthest thing from his mind as a young person. Nevertheless, he always felt his life would somehow amount to something special. “Even as […]

Father Phillip Schmitter was born and raised in Mason, Michigan, a predominantly white rural town with a small Hispanic population of Mexican immigrants. He had not had any notable experience with black Americans until after graduating from high school. Then, in 1965, as a young seminary student in Cincinnati, Ohio, Schmitter had an encounter that […]

What becomes of a community without faith? Flint’s residents hope they’ll never know. Made up of not only a mix of churches and other worship centers, the city has a devoted number of mission outlets and faith-based outreach programs. These parishes and organizations offer guidance, encouragement and a sense of stability, even during the city’s […]